Upland High School Spanish teacher retires after 33 years

UPLAND - After 33 years of teaching Spanish to Upland High School students, Paul "Pablo" Robertson has decided to retire.

The 62-year-old Upland resident was honored May 19 at a celebration in the school's gymnasium.

Besides his work in the classroom, Robertson announced the high school's home football games.

"I just can not believe what has happened to me this week," Robertson said in his speech.

"Today, the floodwaters of an emotional tsunami have totally engulfed me with the love of so many wonderful people who I love beyond description, people who mean the world to me."

Sean Piscioneri, an English and social sciences teacher at Upland High, was in Robertson's class in 1984.

"It has been said that teaching is one of the noblest of professions," Piscioneri said at the event.

"Teacher-education programs often refer to teaching as a calling, and I believe Pablo embodies this spirit. More than a teacher, I believe he was my earliest mentor, and I learned something far greater than Spanish."

Robertson graduated from Upland High School in 1968, Chaffey College in 1971 and Cal State San Bernardino in 1974. He served six years in the Air National Guard.

Robertson worked at Allura Dairy in Upland while attending Upland High.

During his sophomore year, he started announcing for the Upland National Little League, which eventually led to his announcing Upland High home football games.

He married his wife, Vicki, in 1983. They have two sons, Doug, 29, and Greg, 27.

"I will always remember what a great and blessed life I have led, and all because of you," Robertson said.

"Upland High School has been my constant inspiration and made me who I am today. I love all of you, today, tomorrow and forever. God bless all of us. God bless Upland High School, and God bless America ..."